North American Stainless

Flat Products Stainless Steel Grade Sheet

301 (S20100)/ EN 1.4310
301LN (S20153)/ EN 1.4318
Introduction:
301SS is a lower-cost alternative to the conventional high-nickel austenitic stainless
steels, such as SS304. 301SS is available with lower nickel content and higher chromium
level to substitute 304SS in various different applications. This grade is available in
different nickel levels depending upon the requirement of stainless steel users. Nickel is
replaced by different levels of copper, carbon and nitrogen. 301SS thus has excellent
ductility and formability. It also has excellent low-temperature properties and responds
similarly to 304SS for many drawing applications. Higher strength inherent to this grade
makes this grade available in six different temper finishes (conditions) used in different
structural applications.

301 SS has good welding characteristics. Post-weld annealing is not normally required to
restore the excellent performance for the low-carbon version of this grade in a wide range
of mildly corrosive conditions.

SS301(6% nickel) has excellent formability and corrosion resistance which makes it
suitable for applications such as kitchen appliances and accessories, catering equipment,
pots and pans, automobile molding and trim.

Product Range:
Product is available in Cold Rolled, Continuous Mill Plate and Plate Mill Plate form up to
60" wide in various thicknesses.
For inquiry about minimum quantity, specific thickness and tolerances, contact inside
sales at NAS.

Certification:
ASTM A240, A480, A666, ASME SA240, SA480, SA666, ASTM A262

Chemical Composition:
UNS ASTM Carbon Manganese Phosphorous Sulfur Silicon Chromium Nickel Nitrogen
S30100 301 0.15 max 2 max 0.045 max 0.03 max 1 max 16-18 6.0-8.0 0.1 max
S30153 301LN 0.03 max 2 max 0.045 max 0.03 max 1 max 16-18 6.0-8.0 0.07-0.20

301SS is available at NAS with three different levels of nickel.

301 6% nickel regular economical grade with good drawing properties
301 7% nickel available in higher-strength temper condition
301 7.6% nickel deep drawing applications
Mechanical Properties:
Tensile strength min Yield Strength min Elongation min Hardness max
301 75 ksi 30 ksi 40% 95HRB
301LN 80 ksi 35 ksi 45% 100 HRB
Note: Enhanced properties available upon request.

Mechanical Properties for Temper Finish:

Tensile strength min Yield Strength min Elongation % min
1/16 Hard 90 ksi 45 ksi 40
1/8 Hard 100 ksi 55 ksi 40
1/4 Hard 125ksi 75 ksi 25
1/2 Hard 150 ski 110 ksi 15
3/4 Hard 175 ksi 135 ksi 10
Full Hard 185 ksi 140 ksi 8

THERMAL PROCESSING & FABRICATION

ANNEALING
Annealing of types SS301 and SS301LN is achieved by heating to above 1900F and for
90 minutes per 25mm thickness followed by water or air quenching. The best corrosion
resistance is achieved when the final annealing temperature is above 1900F. Controlled
atmospheres are recommended in order to avoid excessive oxidation of the surface.
STRESS RELIEVING
The lower-carbon grade 301LN can be stress relieved at 450C to 600C for 60 minutes
with little danger of sensitization. If, however, stress relieving is to be carried out above
600C, there is a serious threat of grain boundary sensitization occurring with a
concomitant loss in corrosion resistance.
COLD WORKING
301 SS has moderate ductility and toughness compared to 304SS and can be readily deep
drawn and stamped. Since 30S types work harden faster than 304, severe cold-forming
operations should be followed by annealing.
WELDING
301 SS types have good welding characteristics and are suited to all standard welding
methods. Either matching or slightly over-alloyed filler wires should be used. For
maximum corrosion resistance, the higher-carbon type SS301 should be annealed after
welding to dissolve any chromium carbides which may have precipitated. The weld
discoloration should be removed by pickling and passivation to restore maximum
corrosion resistance.

Corrosion Resistance:
301 SS have corrosion resistance similar to type 304SS in solution-annealed condition.

Pitting Resistance:
Pitting resistance is important, mainly in applications involving contact with chloride
solutions, particularly in the presence of oxidizing media. These conditions may be
conducive to localized penetration of the passive surface film on the steel and a single
deep pit may well be more damaging than a much greater number of relatively shallow
pits. Where pitting corrosion is anticipated, steels containing molybdenum (such as 316L)
should be considered.

Pitting-resistance equivalent numbers (PREN) are a theoretical way of comparing the

pitting corrosion resistance of various types of stainless steels, based on their chemical
compositions. The PREN (or PRE) numbers are useful for ranking and comparing the
different grades, but cannot be used to predict whether a particular grade will be suitable
for a given application, where pitting corrosion may be a hazard.

Typical PREN on NAS grades and comparison are shown below.

PREN Austenitic Stainless at NAS

20.50

20.00

19.50
PREN

19.00

18.50

18.00

17.50
304 301 201LN 201

The resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in oxidizing chloride environments was
evaluated using ASTM G48 methods A and B. Samples of alloy type 304, 301, 201, and
430 were exposed for a period of 72 hours at 22o C in oxidizing chloride acid. The results
are summarized in Table 2.

Type 304 Type 301 Type 201 Type 430

ASTM G48 A
Mass Loss .0063 g/cm2 .0105 g/cm2 .0098 g/cm2 .0280 g/cm2
Pitting Test
ASTM G48 B
Mass Loss .0067 g/cm2 .0086 g/cm2 .0130 g/cm2 .0265 g/cm2
Crevice Test

Table 2. Results of ASTM G48 A and B Pitting and Crevice Corrosion Tests
INTERGRANULAR CORROSION
Sensitization may occur when the Heat Affected Zones of welds in some austenitic
stainless steels are cooled through the sensitizing temperature range of between 450C
and 850C. At this temperature, a compositional change may occur at the grain
boundaries. If a sensitized material is then subjected to a corrosive environment,
intergranular attack may be experienced. This corrosion takes place preferentially in the
heat affected zone away from and parallel to the weld. Susceptibility to this form of
attack, often termed weld decay, may be assessed by the following
Standard tests: Boiling copper sulphate/sulphuric acid test as specified in ASTM A262,
Practice A & E. 301SS inherently is designed to have higher carbon content as compared
to Type 304SS, which makes this grade more susceptible to sensitization

Technical Service: For further information, email

qualitycontrol@northamericanstainless.com
For new product development requirements, contact sales@northamericanstainless.com.

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Furthermore, North American Stainless disclaims any responsibility for the suitability of
the steel in question for any particular purpose or for the performance or selection of the
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